Outdoor wooden tables are sometimes treated with a clear water sealing product to prevent moisture damage. Others are painted cedar red, white or forest green. These options are typical and visually boring. Why not do something more creative? Add color and appeal to your outdoor living area. Anything is possible with paint.
I had an ordinary wooden picnic table that I bought for my patio. I coated it with clear sealant to protect the wood, but it needed something more. My patio was decorated with two wicker chairs that had beautiful floral cushions. I also placed two large potted plants on the patio during the warmer months of the year. A beautiful fountain made from clay jars added a touch of tranquility. The picnic table did not coordinate with the rest of my outdoor decor, and I wanted to find a way to decorate it with paint instead of buying something new.
Paint a Realistic Table Covering
I decided to paint my wooden picnic table with a permanent table covering. With the help of a drafting square, I drew the design in pencil. I created a perfect square that covered the center third of the table. I drew another square over the top of the first one, but I placed it with the corners draping over the sides. I painted the first cloth a rich shade of cobalt blue, and I painted the top cloth sunflower yellow. After the paint dried, I detailed the edges with some of the designs in the floral pattern on the chair cushions. From a distance, the paint looked like real material, and I no longer felt the need to use a tablecloth when dining outdoors. The paint made my old wooden picnic table appear more like a decorative furnishing instead of something that should be chained to a tree in a park.
Use a Sponge to Paint Faux Tiles on a Wooden Picnic Table
A good friend loved the design I created on my wooden picnic table, and she wanted to do something unique with paint. I came up with another idea. I painted her wooden picnic table medium gray, and after the paint dried we designed faux tiles. I used a square sponge to stamp faux tiles over the entire top using a mixture of creamy orange and beige. I did not mix the paint together thoroughly. I wanted to achieve a sponged look, and my method worked perfectly. I left about ¼ inch of space in between the stamped tiles. The gray paint beneath looked like grout, and the results were phenomenal.
Consider using paint in a unique and creative way to embellish your wooden picnic table. Shop the paint department of a local home improvement store or discount store. Spray varieties can be used to create the look of stone, textured material and more. You do not have to maintain the natural look of wood. You can use paint to create just about any design or style imaginable.
Source: Personal and Professional Home Design and Decorating Experience